Rise in cyberattacks
In recent weeks, there has been a noticeable rise in cyberattacks targeting UK businesses, infrastructure, and healthcare organisations, including hospitals. This increase is linked to new threats from foreign states and the UK's ongoing support for Ukraine. At MKUH, our security systems, such as firewalls and Microsoft Defender, have detected more attempts to breach our defences and test for weaknesses. Similarly, the NHS Cyber Associates Network has reported a surge in attacks on NHS organisations across the country.
Microsoft 365
With this in mind, we have added some additional Countries to our Blocked Country List, which can be found here : Restricted access for some Countries
VPN
In addition, to ensure the security of remote access to our network, we are implementing restrictions on the countries from which our VPN can be accessed. This means that only staff connecting from allowed countries will be able to use the VPN. The list of allowed countries for VPN access is available here: VPN : Permitted Countries. Staff traveling outside of these regions should submit the Allow / Block List in advance to discuss access options.
What you can do...
Staff are reminded to remain vigilant about cybersecurity, including:
✅Being cautious with emails, links, and attachments, particularly from unknown sources.
✅Reporting any suspicious activity immediately using the Suspicious Email Investigation
✅Keeping devices and software updated to ensure the latest security patches are applied.
Your cooperation is essential in safeguarding our systems and data. If you have any questions or concerns about these changes, please contact the IT Service Desk for assistance.
Linked Article
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